Travel

Entrepreneur Assad Boulos manages a variety of businesses including restaurants and shopping centers in Houston, Texas. Outside of work, Assad Boulos enjoys traveling to various points of interest around the world including the Mediterranean region.

A popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean is the coastal town of Manarola, located in the Italian Riviera. It is one of five famed villages in an area known as Cinque Terre, meaning five lands, in reference to the five towns, all of which are connected by walking paths. The very popular walking path between Manarola and the town of Riomaggiore is called Via dell Amore or Lover’s Lane.

The main attraction is the village itself, which is made up of colorful houses literally built on a rock cliff that rises 70 meters above the sea. Packed densely together, the houses look as if they may just slide down into the sea at any given moment, although they have been there for centuries. A fishing community with a tiny harbor, the village has no natural beaches but has some of the best deep swimming areas in Italy.

Blessed with vineyards, Manarola also makes wine and its local vintage, Sciacchetra, is of high repute. Reference of the fine wine produced in the area can be found in ancient Roman records.

Assad Boulos, a restaurateur in Houston, Texas, has used his extensive management experience to oversee business operations at a number of restaurants and retail ventures across Houston. Juan Parilla, a smart Colombian restaurant located in the heart of Houston’s Uptown District, is Assad Boulos’ current venture.

The Uptown District in Houston was established in 1987 when major development projects were initiated less than ten miles from the city’s center. The thriving area quickly grew into one of the nation’s largest business districts. Located along Westheimer Road and Post Oak Boulevard, two of Houston’s main thoroughfares, the area welcomes more than 200,000 people each day to its businesses, restaurants, and high end shops.

Uptown is known for its many options for fine dining and sophisticated shopping. Along with numerous upscale boutiques, the district houses the state’s largest shopping mall, the Galleria.

Visitors and residents of Uptown also enjoy the area’s green spaces, particularly Hines Waterfall Park, which features a 64 foot tall architectural fountain. The park, owned by the city of Houston, is a popular community gathering place.

An accomplished entrepreneur in Texas, Assad Boulos is the president of Wasfi restaurant, ANA, Inc., and Juan Parilla. He has been working in the food and retail industries for more than three decades and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of his restaurants and companies. In his free time, Assad Boulos enjoys traveling to such places as Miami, Florida.

There are a couple great times to visit Miami, Florida: in spring between March and May and early winter from October to December. Between March and May, the city experiences average temperatures in the mid-80s and relatively low precipitation. Plus, hurricane season has yet to begin. While the weather is ideal, spring does bring in large crowds, especially during spring break. Fortunately, they tend to flock to Miami Beach, so the city itself stays relatively calm. In early winter, Miami experiences similar temperatures and precipitation, but crowds tend to be lower. This brings with it cheaper accommodations and food prices.

Generally, peak tourist season runs from January through April because of the preferable temperatures and weather. Although the weather may be more enjoyable for a wide range of activities, the huge crowds drive up hotel and flight prices. Not to mention, most visitors during these months must book their trip well ahead of time.

Summer is Miami’s normal off-season. From June through August, temperatures are typically in the 90s and humidity levels skyrocket, creating a hot and often muggy experience. Hurricane season also begins during these months. However, this is the best time to save money as hotel rates often plummet.